Boulder County · Homeowner's insurance
Boulder Dog Bite Insurance Lawyers
We help Boulder dog bite victims deal with homeowner's insurance. Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
How Homeowner's Insurance Applies to a Boulder Dog Bite Claim
When a dog bites someone in Boulder, the claim is usually presented to the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance policy. That does not mean every policy will pay. Coverage depends on what the specific policy says, and we review that language before telling a client what to expect.
Some policies contain exclusions. An insurer may try to deny coverage because of the breed of dog, because the dog had a prior bite on record, or because the dog was being used for some business purpose. Whether an exclusion actually applies is a matter of reading the policy carefully, not assuming the worst from the start.
We look at the homeowner or renter policy that covers the dog owner in Boulder or Boulder County, identify what it promises and what it excludes, and build the claim around that language rather than around guesswork.
Building the Coverage Record
A coverage question starts with the policy itself: the declarations page, the exclusions section, and any endorsements that name specific dogs or breeds. We request this documentation from the insurer or the dog owner early, because it shapes every decision that follows in the claim.
We also gather facts about the dog and the owner, such as whether the dog had bitten before or whether it was kept for a business purpose, since insurers sometimes point to these facts to support a denial. When a claim is delayed or denied, we look closely at how the insurer reached that decision and whether the denial matches what the policy actually says.
- Any letter or email from the insurance company about the claim
- The name of the dog owner and, if known, their insurance carrier
- Photos of the injury and the location of the bite
- Records from any medical treatment, including Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital if used
- Names and contact information for anyone who saw the incident
Handling Boulder Insurance Claims
We handle dog bite insurance claims connected to incidents throughout Boulder, including areas near Arapahoe Avenue, Broadway, and along U.S. Highway 36, as well as the nearby communities of Louisville and Lafayette. Insurance companies and adjusters do not change their tactics based on neighborhood, and neither does our approach to reviewing the policy.
If a claim moves into litigation, Boulder County cases are typically filed at the Boulder County Justice Center. Our office is based in Denver, and we regularly work with clients throughout the Boulder area on these claims.
What an Insurance Claim May Cover
- Medical treatment for the bite injury
- Follow-up care and any scar or reconstructive treatment
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering from the injury
- Related out-of-pocket costs tied to the bite
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Boulder — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Boulder Homeowner's insurance FAQ
Does homeowner's insurance always cover a dog bite in Boulder?
Not always. It depends on the specific policy language, including any exclusions for breed, prior bite history, or business use of the dog. We review the policy before making any promises about coverage.
What if the insurer denies the claim because of the dog's breed?
We look at the actual exclusion language in the policy rather than assuming a breed is automatically excluded. Some policies do exclude certain breeds, but the specific wording controls what happens next.
What if the dog had bitten someone before?
A prior bite can affect coverage under some policies, and insurers sometimes rely on this history to deny a claim. We gather what is known about the dog's history and compare it against what the policy actually requires.
Is a delayed or denied claim automatically bad faith?
No. Not every delay or denial rises to that level. We evaluate how the insurer handled the claim and whether that handling matches the policy terms and the facts presented.
Do I need to have filed anything with the insurer before contacting a lawyer?
No. We can step in at any stage, whether a claim has already been filed, denied, or not yet reported. We review the situation and the applicable policy language from where things currently stand.
Discuss a Boulder dog bite
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.